A Painting Of A Stormy Sea

WRITTEN BY AYSHA HAFEEL CLASS OF 2026

This blog explores how anxiety and depression mirror the chaos of a stormy sea, reflecting deep emotional struggles often hidden from view. It also highlights how traumatic experiences, such as natural disasters, can deeply affect mental health through personal reflections emphasizing the importance of creating supportive environments, utilizing therapeutic practices, and fostering community connections to promote healing.

INTRODUCTION

It’s not just a depiction of nature changes. It's a mirror reflection of a human hidden story of anxiety and depression. The vast sea with choppy waves mirrored the anxious thought and the dark, oppressive sky, mirroring the suffocating weight of despair. The lone fragile rowboat far away represents the individual struggling to talk about the overwhelming forces of their mental health challenges.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Anxiety and depression, are two intertwined shadows of the mind, commonly known as mood disorders.

Together, they weave a complex tapestry of internalizing disorders, where emotions spiral inward, often concealed from the outside world. In this hidden realm, feelings swell and recede like the tide, leaving those caught in their currents searching for a glimmer of light amidst the darkness.

Anxiety is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by excessive worry, fear, and apprehension. It's a normal human emotion, but when it becomes persistent, intense, and interferes with daily life, it becomes a disorder.

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It is a common but serious mood disorder. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It is a common but serious mood disorder.

Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical (major) depression. It's also common to have depression that's triggered by an anxiety disorder. Mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MADD) is a new diagnostic category defining patients who suffer from both anxiety and depressive symptoms of limited and equal intensity accompanied by at least some autonomic features

WHO CAN BE AFFECTED IN GENERAL

This kind of mental disorder can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses, or other stressful events, University students, patients who have chronic illnesses like cancer, etc. This situation is more common in women than in men.

Studies have shown that university students not only face challenges related to independent living but also academic challenges. This predisposes them to depression, anxiety, and stress, which are fairly common.

Studies have shown that university students not only face challenges related to independent living but also academic challenges. This predisposes them to depression, anxiety, and stress, which are fairly common.

 Research has highlighted sources of magnified stress and trauma for people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared to others in the general population. It’s because the people were isolated from society for a long time, disturbing their homeliness. Long-term cancer survivors are another special category who face these mental instabilities, as they feel sad thinking about how things have changed, and about the things that they can't do anymore.

LIFE EXPERIENCE  

Life is a series of experiences. Let me open a window into my childhood, a window that reveals the scars of a tsunami, but also the strength I found within.

 I would like to share one of my scary childhood experiences with you as I hope it will add a different view to this topic of mine.

The salty air still clings to my memory, which constantly reminds me of the day the ocean roared and stole our world. At that time I was a small kid, which was a time when most people did not know what a tsunami wave was like. Some have not even heard the word until they saw it.

It was a gloomy day, where the water in the sea started to move behind. Which made the people curious and amazed. This giant wave which hit our small island destroyed not only the buildings and vehicles but also devastated innocent people’s lives in all aspects.

AFTER EFFECTS

As an after-effect, unfortunately, many people face physical disabilities as well as mental instabilities. Among those we could see the people and children who were depressed were living in fear and sorrow. The children couldn’t focus on their studies, and they had poor memory recalling things, and forgetfulness, the children couldn’t sleep as they were awakening with nightmares, and bedwetting. They were afraid to engage in social activities, they also didn’t like to share their thoughts with others and were silent most of the time.

During school classroom activities when the students were asked to draw pictures they preferred, the children who were the victims of this disaster mostly tended to draw unusual drawings that depicted their lifestyle and hope within them. These drawings not only serve as a therapeutic outlet for children but also provide valuable insights for caregivers and mental health professionals into their emotional states and needs. Understanding these expressions can help in providing the necessary support. The drawings showed us how much fear and sadness they had, with an innocent hope of help for them to come back to their normal life.

These children were really living in fear. Children, in particular, displayed heightened anxiety, often reacting with panic at the sound of the word 'Tsunami'; they might cry, cling to their parents, or seek shelter, their small bodies trembling with fear. Some would cover their ears, as if trying to block out the haunting memories, while others might run away to find safety, embodying the instinctual response to a threat.

These mental issues like anxiety, fear, and depression, also affect individuals, families, and society as a whole. Family members were feeling helpless, frustrated, and sad which led to conflicts and strained relationships.

The responsibility of caretaking may shift, as some family members sometimes the elder child even if he or she is small has to take more responsibilities on behalf of the family, this develops a more stressful condition for everyone. Mental health issues most probably hinder communication, making it difficult for families to express feelings and seek support. The cost of the treatments, and other expenses are very hard to manage because the income of the family is stopped or very low. This too exacerbates stress within the family.

Even the future of the country looms like a stormy sky, heavy with uncertainty and foreboding. A mentally unhealthy population can result in lower workforce participation, affecting the country’s economic growth. Mental issues also contribute to higher crime rates, homelessness, and social unrest which are a threat to society.

Research has stated that Exposure to natural disasters can leave profound psychological scars, particularly among adolescents, who are often more vulnerable to the emotional turmoil that follows such traumatic events. The chaos and unpredictability of disasters can shatter their sense of safety and stability, leading to heightened anxiety and fear.

This anxiety may manifest as persistent worries about future disasters, difficulties in social interactions, or struggles with concentration in school. As these young individuals navigate the complexities of adolescence, the lingering effects of their experiences can shape not only their mental health but also their overall outlook on life, potentially impacting their relationships and academic performance for years to come.

Addressing anxiety, and depression after a natural disaster requires a comprehensive approach that combines immediate emotional support, community building, and long-term mental health care.

MANAGING THE SITUATION

First of all, we must create a safe space where individuals can share their experiences without judgment.

Counseling and therapy help people express their feelings and experiences.

Relaxation techniques, like music, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises are very useful to help manage stress and anxiety. Encouraging people in drawing arts, music, or dancing therapy as a means of healing.

As technology has developed tele therapy which means online counseling is important for people who find it difficult to access traditional therapy, also mental health apps offer guided meditations, mood tracking, and coping strategies.

Sufficient nutrition and exercise enhance mental well being. Nature therapy also reduces stress levels. Spending time with animals, and watching beautiful sceneries also relaxes a person’s mind.

The thing that should be taken into account is that even if we have faced a disaster or not, or unfortunately will, we should never let the storm destroy us. As the storm begins to fade, rays of sunlight peak through the clouds, symbolizing hope and healing. Just as the sea eventually settles, so too can our hearts find peace, guiding us toward brighter days and a renewed sense of strength. Never give up on your hopes, be strong, and face the world bravely in whatever situation you are in.